The contest got off to a fast start. Magee, 37, a southpaw, worked behind his right jab. The Belfast native had rebuilt his career alter being stopped by Lucian Bute almost two years ago. Kessler, 33 stalked Magee. He countered Magee’s activity with right hands. Kessler started working his jab in the middle of the round. He shifted his attack to the body. His punches were landing at the end of the round. Kessler returned to his corner full of confidence.

Magee landed a hard left in the first few seconds of round two that had no effect on the challenger. A sharp Kessler right to the solar plexus put Magee down. Magee got up, but was obviously hurt. Every shot Kessler landed wobbled him. Magee fired a wild left that missed. Kessler connected with a straight right hand. He went right back to the body a few seconds later. Another right put Magee down on one knee. The bell sounded ending the round.

Kessler went right back to the body in round three. He knew were the weakness was. He clipped Magee with another right to the breadbasket. The defending champion paused for a split second and went down. His face told the story. The referee could see the pain Magee was in. He waved off the contest a few seconds later.

The time was 24 seconds of round three.

Kessler’s victory sets up a possible rematch with IBF super middleweight champion Carl Froch. The two battled evenly two years ago with Kessler judged the winner by split decision. Froch is tentatively scheduled to meet Lucian Bute sometime next year.